Zhang Yichen set the breakfast carefully on the coffee table, then turned toward Li Yue. His voice dropped a little lower."If you're hungry, start eating first. I'll go check on Sister Xiaoxi."
His gaze unconsciously drifted toward the figure sleeping on the bed, his eyes filled with gentle anticipation.
Li Yue arched a brow, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. "I'm not in a hurry. Let's wait for your Yaoyao."
She leaned lazily against the sofa, her eyes sweeping over him. "But look at you—like a newlywed husband. Seems she treated you very well last night?"
A faint heat climbed up Zhang Yichen's ears. Pretending not to hear, he carried the baby to the bedside.
Chen Xiaoxi showed no signs of waking. He didn't disturb her, simply stood quietly, watching.
Seeing that she wouldn't wake anytime soon, Li Yue lowered her voice. "Give me the baby. Let me play with her for a bit."
Zhang Yichen hesitated, but eventually handed the little one over with extreme care.
The baby squirmed in her arms, uneasy at first, but soon distracted by her playful teasing—breaking into a crooked little grin.
Li Yue gently poked the baby's chubby cheek with her fingertip, her eyes softening. "Such a cute child. No wonder you two treasure her so much."
Zhang Yichen hovered nearby, never taking his eyes off the baby, worried she might feel uncomfortable.
"What are you so tense for? You think I'll eat her?" Li Yue shot him a sidelong glance, her tone teasing. "You're acting like I'm some kind of thief."
Zhang Yichen ignored the jab. He moved to the window, pulling the curtain open just a crack.
Taking a slow breath, his gaze landed on the greenery outside, though his thoughts were far away."Am I… childish?" he asked suddenly, his voice tinged with self-mockery.
"Childish? Maybe. But doesn't everyone have something they insist on protecting?" Li Yue countered.
Her answer sounded casual, yet it carried a trace of comfort.
They hadn't known each other long. The first time they met was on university registration day.Her first impression of him: bright, confident, kind, cheerful, sharp.
Yesterday was their second meeting. This time, she saw he was also reserved, low-key, talented, thoughtful… and still carried that youthful recklessness etched in his bones.
Zhang Yichen was undoubtedly outstanding.
But last night, his unusual behavior made her and Chen Xiaoxi realize—he might be suffering from depression.
A genius like him shouldn't be left to fall.
To heal him, he needed acceptance, encouragement, companionship, and care.These were exactly what an orphan lacked.
As a friend, all Li Yue could offer were those things.But Chen Xiaoxi—she was his salvation.
She could give him a complete and happy family.And that, perhaps, was the deepest desire hidden in an orphan's heart.
"By the way, you're moving today, right?" Li Yue broke the silence, worried he might sink too deep into his thoughts again.
Zhang Yichen turned back, nodding. "Yeah. Since we've decided, let's just do it."
"Good. The sooner you move, the sooner I can babysit for you. That way, you two can… enjoy yourselves properly."
Her gaze flicked, not-so-innocently, toward the still-sleeping Chen Xiaoxi.
Zhang Yichen stiffened. "Cut the jokes. She and her daughter deserve better than that kind of talk."
Seeing him glance at the bed, then breathe a sigh of relief when Xiaoxi remained asleep, Li Yue smirked. "Relax. I'm only creating opportunities for you two. Otherwise, when will I ever get to hold a little nephew of mine?"
Zhang Yichen's face darkened. "What's that got to do with us? Don't tell me you see me as some kind of stud horse?"
"Of course it's related. If Yaoyao has a son, he's my nephew. But if you don't work hard, how is she going to give birth?" Li Yue said it with such confidence, like a nagging auntie, completely ignoring his feelings.
"Ridiculous." Zhang Yichen snorted and turned toward the kitchen to set the table. His movements were careful, afraid to wake Xiaoxi.
But deep down, he couldn't help a quiet ripple of expectation.
Today marked the beginning of their new life.
Ding dong—
The sudden doorbell cut through the silence.
Zhang Yichen set down the chopsticks and hurried to the door.
The landlady stood outside, smiling warmly.
"Auntie, perfect timing. We were just about to move," he greeted softly, inviting her in.
She peeked inside, spotting the tidy room, and nodded approvingly. "My, Xiao Chen, you're really efficient. All packed up already?"
He just smiled without answering, stepping aside to let her in.
Li Yue walked over with the baby in her arms, greeting sweetly, "Hello, Auntie!"
The landlady's eyes lit up when she saw the baby. "Oh my, what a handsome child. Looks just like Xiao Chen."
Li Yue's smile turned playful. "Of course. Otherwise, why would the mother still be so attached?"
Zhang Yichen's ears burned. He quickly cut them off, handing over the keys. "Auntie, please check the place. We'll be moving out soon."
"No need. I trust you," the landlady waved it off, then pressed a few bills into his hand. "Come back and visit often."
He accepted the money with a polite smile. "Thank you, Auntie. I will."
After seeing her out, he closed the door—only for Chen Xiaoxi to stir awake.
Her eyes fluttered open, cheeks instantly reddening when she noticed Li Yue."You're here… so early?" she asked softly.
"Early? Yaoyao, are you blaming me? For disturbing your morning exercise?" Li Yue clutched her chest dramatically, pretending to be pitiful.
"Cough, cough…"
Remembering last night's "exercise," Xiaoxi wanted nothing more than to hide in a hole.
"Xiaoxi-jie, freshen up and eat," Zhang Yichen interjected just in time, saving her.
"Okay!" Xiaoxi bolted from the bed, escaping into the bathroom like a frightened rabbit.
Li Yue blinked. "What's with her? She wasn't this shy before."
"…Maybe she's just groggy from waking up." Zhang Yichen brushed it off.
After breakfast, he continued Xiaoxi's acupuncture treatment.
It had to be done for seven days straight. Missing even once would undo all his efforts.
As soon as she lay down, Li Yue complained. "Wait a second—aren't you being unfair? If acupuncture works so well, why don't you treat me too?"
Lounging on the sofa with the baby, she eyed the two of them with a teasing, dissatisfied smirk.
"It's not convenient for you," Zhang Yichen replied casually.
"Not convenient? We're both humans. Why the special treatment? Your heart's already biased—straight to the North Pole!"
Her narrowed eyes glinted as she tapped the baby's nose, her muttering just loud enough for the couple to hear.
Zhang Yichen's hand with the silver needle paused. He shot her a calm look. "Fine. Watch carefully how I treat Xiaoxi, then decide if you can accept it."
This time, his movements were smoother, more practiced than before.
Unlike the first session, the two of them had already adapted to each other. Everything flowed naturally.
But in Li Yue's eyes, the scene looked… questionable.Those areas he touched—weren't they too private?His hands—didn't they linger too long, tracing up, down, left, right?
Acupuncture? Hah. It looked more like an excuse to take advantage.
She snorted coldly, walking over with the baby. "You're obviously just taking liberties with her."
"She's willing. Do you have a problem with that?" Zhang Yichen shot back mercilessly.
"I—" Li Yue's words choked in her throat. Seeing Xiaoxi's relaxed expression, she had no counter.
Fair enough. They were basically husband and wife now. After what they'd done last night, what was a little touching?
Zhang Yichen's lips curved. "Besides… the points for your treatment are even more private. They involve sensitive areas. Still want acupuncture?"
"W-What? No way!" Li Yue blanched instantly. "I'm still a pure maiden!"
"Don't worry. In the eyes of a doctor, there's no difference between men and women. Xiaoxi doesn't mind. Right, Xiaoxi?" He even winked at her.
"Ah? Y-Yes! That's right! Yue, just follow the doctor's orders," Xiaoxi stammered, playing along.
"You two—ugh! You're teaming up to bully me!" Li Yue fumed, stomping her foot.
Zhang Yichen smirked. "That's all you've got?"
With that, he returned to his work, leaving her sputtering.